I'll just come right out and say it. These gluten-free choux puffs are legit. Very legit. The kind of legit when someone may not even notice they are gluten-free! And with a few tips and loads of images for visual cues I share in this post, they're quite easy to make.
Read moreRooibos Chai Panna Cotta Tart + Honeyed Strawberry Rhubarb Compote { dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free } + GIVEAWAY
Years ago, a friend gave me a jar of Rooibos loose leaf tea to try. She told me it is an non-caffeinated tea with health benefits aplenty. I later read that Rooibos is high in antioxidants, helps lower high blood pressure, aids in cancer-prevention and digestion health, bone health and more. Seems like I should be drinking this stuff like water! Instead, it sat in my pantry untouched for months, or closer to a year. When it comes to hot beveraging, I can't help but choose an Americano, a matcha latte or for so many years, my top choice was English Breakfast tea with a splash of milk (a reflection of my British-influenced Hong Kong ties).
Tea in desserts, on the other hand, I dig! A LOT. Like these earl grey cookies or the earl grey ice cream I made for pear frangipane tart. Heaven. So it is no surprise this Rooibos Chai Panna Cotta Tart with Honeyed Strawberry Rhubarb Compote is totally my jam. The only surprise is why I didn't think of it sooner. Everyone I served it to thoroughly enjoyed it too! Weeell if I'm being honest, everyone except my 4 year old who ate only the tart crust and "saved" the panna cotta part for her mama. But I can't blame her for loving the crust - it's so dope.
Read moreRoast Pork with Mojo Sauce + Black Bean Rice { gluten-free, dairy-free }
This recipe was inspired by our recent trip to Miami, Florida. The hotel we stayed at was beyond gorgeous and the weather was even more so, especially after months living in the tundra known as winter in Toronto. Guys, it was a real difficult winter. So our escape down south was well anticipated. Except it didn't turn out to be the vacation I pictured...
Read moreWinter Pavlova with Meyer Lemon Curd { gluten-free, dairy-free }
Pavlovas don't normally come to mind in the winter since they are generally regarded as a summer dessert. I always questioned the sense in that though? High humidity is the serial murderer of pavlovas. Sure there are other factors that could undermine your pavlova, such as whites contaminated with yolks or grease / water in the mixing bowl, but I assert that weather is public enemy number one since it is not a factor you get to control.
Read moreSticky Rice Cakes with Salt-Cured Yolk + Peanut Butter Filling + Zwilling Giveaway { gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free }
Does it seem like I went to crazy town with this one? Yes, I made a filling out of salt-cured egg yolks and peanut butter and sweetened it with maple syrup. I stuffed it inside a dough made with glutinous rice flour (aka 'sweet rice flour' not to be confused with 'rice flour'!), coated them in peanut crumble and pan-fried them. They turned out suuper addictive! We could not stop munching on this warm, chewy, salty-sweet snack! So the lunacy was justified...hence I urge you to continue reading. Plus also there's a giveaway I want you to know about :)
Read moreDouble Chocolate Brownie Cookie { gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free, paleo }
WHUT. Christmas is less than a week away, and the year is done-zo in less than two! How are you feeling? Are you getting holiday stress? I had myself a panic moment a few days ago when Aubrie asked me why there are still no presents under our tree. I mumbled something about not wanting them to poke around the presents and wreck the wrapping like last year, instead of the truth, which is I was procrastinating the mundane task of wrapping them up. On the actual gift-buying side, I had 90% of gifts purchased by early December but the last 10% is by no coincidence, the most difficult. People like my dad, dad-in-law, etc are impossible to buy for. So I'm still working on that last 10% ... kiiiinda cutting it close, I reckon. Socks? Again?
Read moreWinter Spice Snack Cake with Maple Swiss Meringue Buttercream { gluten-free, refined sugar free, paleo + dairy-free option }
This season, Vitamix came up with this Winter Spice Seasoning of cinnamon sticks, crystallized ginger, cardamom, pink peppercorns, cloves, dried orange peel, salt and brown sugar (tip: sub coconut sugar for Paleo / refined sugar free version!) blended into a fragrant seasoning of warmth and WINTER MAGIC.
Vitamix and theFeedfeed partnered up to sponsor this post so that I can bring you this recipe I created using that heavenly seasoning mix. Can you smell it in your mind's eye...eerrr, nose? I want to put it in everything, both sweet and savory!
Read morePistachio Shortbread Cookies with Dried Cherries + Red Peppercorns + A HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY !!
I'm giddy with excitement this time of the year when holiday season is in full ramp-up mode! It's my favorite. I love that the season is about giving to others. While I don't condone frivolous over-consumption (which is admittedly a huge downside associated with the holidays), I really enjoy putting careful thought into the gifts that I am giving to the special people in my life. There's a dizzying joy and smug satisfaction when I just know I've found the perfect gift for someone.
I'm still giving myself pats on the back for the Aesop hydrating cream for my mom / sister, and the fold-able (brilliant!) vegetable spiralizer for my brother-in-law last year. We won't talk about the socks I gifted my dad tho - he's a hard one to buy for!
Read moreEarl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Due to popular demand, I'm putting up this recipe which is an oldie I found through the Food Network website and have made it again and again. These days we are limiting gluten and refined sugars but I make exceptions when I'm baking for others or just as an occasional treat. Believe me I don't go wasting that 'quota' just on anything. I have to tell you, these shortbread cookies are well worth it.
Read morePassionfruit + Meyer Lemon Tart { gf, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo }
If you love a little pucker with your sweet with a little tropical twist, you'll go mad for this tart!
Read moreA Very Special Unicorn Cake { Vanilla Cake + Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream + Honeycomb Crunchies }
Every celebration cake I make feels special, of course. But this one was exceptionally so, because I made it for my daughter's 6th birthday according to precise specifications ('white cake with chocolate frosting and those crunchy yellow things on top'). It was also extra extra special because we decided to suspend all dietary restrictions (primarily, grain and dairy) to thoroughly enjoy the celebration and all the trimmings that a young girl's birthday celebration should have, including a little magic and a damn good birthday cake.
Read moreItalian Almond Cookies { gf, paleo, dairy free }
Being prescribed a grain-free diet by my daughter's naturopath just before the holidays is like getting sick right before vacation ... or scoring free drink tickets only to get bar rail liquor ... or finding a hole in your sock the moment you take off your shoes at someone's house ... or dripping yellow mustard on your brand new sneakers (that stuff's like dye and never completely comes off!) ... or getting an unexpected visit from Auntie Flo when you're totally unprepared OK THAT IS GOING TOO FAR.
Read morePear Frangipane Tarts + Earl Grey Ice Cream + Salted Caramel
A cycle that repeats. Healthy, healthy, healthy all week long then BAM the most indulgent of treats to celebrate the weekend! Like these pear frangipane tarts topped with salted caramel sauce & earl grey ice cream I made two weekends ago. Supple pear slices atop a moist and nutty frangipane filling baked inside a crunchy tart. That's an impressive dessert right there. But why stop there? For an off-the-Richter impressive dessert, top it with salted caramel-y love and homemade Earl Grey ice cream because what pie or tart didn't get 1000x better with the a-la-mode treatment? None, that's what.
Read moreBlack Forest Chocolate Cake with Sweet Poached Cherries
This cake was a huge hit at a family gathering over the weekend. I'm finicky when it comes to chocolate + fruit combinations in a cake (as in, I don't always love it), but I have to say this cake was reaaally scrumptious. Uber moist chocolate-y sponge cakes are layered with a simple vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream and gently poached sweet cherries, blanketed in dark chocolate ganache and topped with fudge-y brownies (update: I went for fresh cherries and chocolate curls on top on the version in the updated images). It is decadent without being overly sweet or heavy. This is one of the best cakes I've ever made!
Read morePumpkin Chiffon Tart in an Oats + Gingersnap Crust
When Autumn rolls around, I love going bloody bonkers for all the pumpkin-y things for about four weeks straight! I indulge in homemade pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin waffles (I made some with my friend Natalie check out her site for photo evidence ;)), pumpkin scones and some pumpkin even sneaked into my morning smoothie which was absolutely delicious!
This year I opted for a pumpkin chiffon tart for Canadian Thanksgiving instead of the traditional pumpkin pie. I made a hybrid oats & gingersnap crust because I wanted the oats for healthier bulk and the gingersnap for the flavor and crispness needed to balance the pillowy filling. I really enjoyed this lighter version, so much so, I may go chiffon every year forward! Add to that a dollop of maple whipped cream and toasted pecans...you'll be happy you wore stretchy pants for Thanksgiving. And by you, I really mean me!
Read morePumpkin Spice Cashew Smoothie { gf, dairy free, refined sugar free }
I made this the other day because I had hella pumpkin puree to use up. It's only mid October and I'm still on my annual pumpkin (and pumpkin spice) bender and I wannit in EVERY. SINGLE. THING.
Read moreHoney Apple Muffins { gf, oil free, refined sugar free }
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, they say, and yet it seems rather over-represented with not the healthiest options involving bread, fatty cheese and salty meats. When my first born was around 2 years old, I somehow got away with serving her oatmeal cooked in unsweetened almond milk with a sprinkling of raisins (no sugar) every single day for an entire year! Then she got wise.
Read morePanna Cotta with Blood Orange Campari Syrup
Here is a little twist on a classic mild and creamy panna cotta by serving it with fresh blood orange segments, drizzle of blood orange syrup spiked with Campari, and garnished with bits of candied ginger and savoiardi (aka lady fingers).
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